(Newser)
–
Hong Kong police cleared more barricades today from pro-democracy protest zones that have choked off traffic in key business districts for more than two weeks, signaling authorities' growing impatience with the student-led activist movement. Appearing to use a strategy of gradually chipping away at the three main protest zones, hundreds of police used chainsaws, sledgehammers, and bolt cutters to take down barriers made of bamboo and other materials that the protesters had erected overnight in the Admiralty area after a few dozen masked men stormed some of the barricades the day before.

By gradually reducing the protest areas from the edges and acting during the quiet morning hours, the police appear to want to avoid the sort of combative confrontation—using tear gas and pepper spray—that backfired two weeks ago, when the street protests started. But at the main protest zone outside Hong Kong's government headquarters, a tent city has sprung up as dozens of demonstrators camp out to defend the highway they've taken over. Many say they won't budge. "No one knows how long this will last. I'm not afraid of the police and I will fight to the end," says a 24-year-old man who quit his job to join the movement.

The protesters with their STUPID and non-passive barricade type activities are practically inviting the Chinese army from the mainland to come in and "clean-up".

Chris Farley

Oct 14, 2014 8:26 AM CDT

So this is a pro democracy group, or a OWS kind of group?

tpvero

Oct 14, 2014 7:52 AM CDT

China can solve all it problems by allowing the British to renew their lease on the Island to manage it for another 100 years. The British did OK the past 200 years. It would get mainland China off the democracy hook, and Hong Kong would still maintain commerce that could only benefit China.